Tigers ponder Boateng appeal

Hull manager Phil Brown is debating whether to appeal against the red card dished out to George Boateng at Ewood Park.

The former Middlesbrough midfielder was dismissed in the first half of the 1-0 defeat by Blackburn following an aerial challenge with Morten Gamst Pedersen.

Brown took issue with referee Lee Probert and even his opposite number Sam Allardyce felt the decision was harsh. "To say it is a nonsense is an understatement. The problem I have with it is he had two to three minutes to make the decision while George was knocked out," said Brown.

"But the players told me he already had the red card out of his pocket within seconds of the incident.

"It is clearly a clash of heads and a brave challenge by both players. If I am going to jump I am going to bring my arms up.

"If you look at George Boateng's history, he's had 14 years in the Premier League and two red cards. It is a good career record for me for a combative midfielder whose involved in tussles and tackles."

The vital goal came in the 16th minute when Martin Olsson's effort from the by-line got a slight deflection from goalkeeper Boaz Myhill and went into the net.

Blackburn almost added a second when Gael Givet saw Myhill turn his header onto the bar.

Allardyce feels Olsson should be credited for the goal, rather than it going down as a Myhill own goal.

"It is very harsh not to give him it," said the Rovers boss. "He has shown outstanding ability then hits a hard, low shot."